Side Gate vs Tube Feed

[red ryder]

I just bought my Henry BB .357 after going over the side gate vs. the loading tube issue. My first lever action in the early 90's was a Winchester 94 in .45 LC. It was sent back to Winchester three times b/c of failure to feed rounds. Finally Winchester sent me a check for the purchase price. I added money and bought an Uberti in .45 LC with a 24-1/4" barrel. I soon realized the barrel was too long and so I sold that and bought a Marlin in .45 LC with a color case hardened receiver. Each of these lever actions took skin off my thumb no matter how careful I was. My source to reload .45 LC decided b/c of legal liability to discontinue reloading my saved brass. I sold my beautiful Marlin. Years later I got the itch for another lever action rifle after watching an infomercial with Anthony Imperato, but this time in .357. For over six months I looked for another side loader. Well Marlin doesn't make .357 any more and everyone tells me it's not the same since Remington bought them and makes them in the old Ilion, New York factory. It's old, I know, I was there in 1999 when Remington had a sporting clays school in Ilion. Winchester may be good, but not in my experience. I looked for used lever actions for six months, but all I found in .357 looked like the stock was used as a hammer or baseball bat. Henry was left and now my thumbs are grateful. The fact that it's the only lever action (correct me if I'm wrong) that is 100% made in the USA was another plus. Also those Henry infomercials convinced me that Mr. Imperato would take care of me if the Henry needed warranty work. If Henry made both loading systems, I guess I would buy the side loader and lots of band-aids.

[RanchRoper]

I'll likely be the slowest guy reloading at the range with my new 1860 but it's sure gonna be fun to shoot.

[tx gunrunner]

My first lever action in the early 90's was a Winchester 94 in .45 LC. It was sent back to Winchester three times b/c of failure to feed rounds.

The Winc 92 and 94 was designed for bottleneck cartridges like 44-40 and 30-30 . Straight wall cartridge like 45 Colt and 38/357 can be a problem in 92 and 94 Winc guns with a ramp to push bullets in chamber on a angle . The 45 Colt in a long action like 94 Winc is another problem .... Guns like a 1860 , 1866 and 1873 Winc or clone have a elevator to lift a straight wall cartridge up to it is in perfect alignment before pushing it in the chamber . I hope this help .

[red ryder]

My first lever action in the early 90's was a Winchester 94 in .45 LC. It was sent back to Winchester three times b/c of failure to feed rounds.

The Winc 92 and 94 was designed for bottleneck cartridges like 44-40 and 30-30 . Straight wall cartridge like 45 Colt and 38/357 can be a problem in 92 and 94 Winc guns with a ramp to push bullets in chamber on a angle . The 45 Colt in a long action like 94 Winc is another problem .... Guns like a 1860 , 1866 and 1873 Winc or clone have a elevator to lift a straight wall cartridge up to it is in perfect alignment before pushing it in the chamber . I hope this help .

I guess I forgot exactly which Winchester I had. It was a long time ago and I'm old and just sitting around waiting for the grim reaper to knock on my door and tell me it's time to go.

[RanchRoper]

If you're waiting for him, he won't come. It's like Santa.

[SteveO1704]

I went back and forth over side load or front load. Decided front load is ok because I want side eject more so I can install a peep/scope to compensate for my aging eyes.

[clovishound]

I've tried side loading gates. Made me glad I have a front loader.

[RanchRoper]

...or maybe a rear load tube fed 1865 Spencer is best?

[ditto1958]

I've tried side loading gates. Made me glad I have a front loader.

Loading handgun caliber cartridges through a gate is easy. Loading 30-30's is often not fun at all.

[tx gunrunner]

I've tried side loading gates. Made me glad I have a front loader.

I did a lot of rabbit hunting and topping off loading tube after firing when walking can be a pain . I shot a lot of rats and sitting at the dump at night and a loading tube was no problem . I used a Marlin 39 and I bent a brass inside tube walking and loading when I hit a low tree branch .

Now riding a horse or motorcycle and hunting the side loading gate is a blessing after firing your gun to top it off and fast too . Like a 92 or 94 Winc . No inside loading tube fall out and lose or bend . If I shoot on bench I load gun thur the ejection port .